The mission of these competitions is to provide an opportunity for all CDS Adult Amateur riders to qualify and compete against others of similar skills and experience. The regional nature of these shows will help provide our membership with a developmental path to gain competitive experience, to promote excellence and increase awareness of and support for CDS Chapters.

Three Regional Adult Amateur Competitions will be held each year. There will be one in the North, Central and South regions as defined in the CDS Standing Rules. Qualifying season started September 6, 2016 so your scores from this fall count for 2017. CDS Championship scores do not count toward qualifying. Cut off for qualifying will be 12 days before the competition. Don’t forget to send in your qualifying fee of $25 (per horse and rider team / per level) to the CDS Central Office, or sign up online at wwww.california-dressage.org. Scores earned before paying your $25 fee will count toward qualifying.

Winners of each level, Training through Intermediaire 1, Novice and Elite, will automatically be considered qualified for the current year CDS Championships.

SOUTH – Cornerstone Event Management (Burbank) August 25-27 (***).

Three of the CDS Scholarships have deadlines for their applications. Don't miss your chance to apply for a scholarship grant to help you with your dressage education. All applications are available on the CDS website: www.california-dressage.org

Hans Moeller Memorial Scholarship $1500 deadline April 30

This individual rider scholarship honors Hans Moeller. In 1967, Hans was one of the founding members of the California Dressage Society where he held the position of Professional Advisor from the founding of CDS to 1986. Applicants must be 30 years of age or older and have competed at Third Level or above. A rider may receive this scholarship AND a competition travel grant the same year. Individuals who are amateurs or professionals may apply.

Jane Jackson Scholarship $1500 deadline April 30

This individual rider scholarship honors Jane Jackson. Jane was a founding member of CDS. She was active in the organization in many capacities. She served on the Scholarship Committee, as LA Chapter Chair, and as a SD Chapter board member. She was an AHSA licensed judge in hunters, jumpers, hunt seat equitation and of course dressage. Applicants must be under 30 years of age and have competed at Third Level or above. A rider may receive this scholarship AND a competition travel grant the same year. Individuals who are amateurs or professionals may apply.

Carol Plough Scholarship $250 deadline April 30

This individual rider scholarship honors Carol Plough. Carol served on the CDS Board for two terms. She volunteered countless hours with the year long planning of the 30th Anniversary Celebration. She organized the Southern California Junior Championship for years and was the Advanced Young Rider Chef for many years. Applicants must be 21 years of age or younger and have competed at First Level or above. Applications must also include a letter of recommendation from an instructor or equestrian professional. The amount will increase as the fund grows.

The CDS Adult Amateur Clinics are named the Linda O’Carroll Memorial Adult Amateur Clinics in honor of Linda O’Carroll who donated an endowment fund to CDS to help fund Amateur Riders’ Dressage Education.

Linda O’Carroll participated in one of the early CDS Amateur Clinics as the representative of the Foothills Chapter of CDS. She loved the experience, commenting often on the wonderfully helpful lessons she personally enjoyed and the wealth of knowledge she picked up from watching all of the other lessons.

As has often been pointed out, the base of that pyramid that represents the discipline of dressage is filled with the Adult Amateurs who juggle work, home, finances, health and any number of other impediments to participation. Linda was such an individual; her choices were always for the good of the horse, for the benefit of the sport.

South – May 5-7– (W Farms, Chino Hills) Nicole Bhathal 805-750-0065

• After sufficient publicity early in the year, each Chapter Chair shall request that all interested members submit a written application to the chapter secretary.

• The Chapter Chair and one other Chapter Board Member should put the names in a hat and the rider be selected by a draw. An alternate rider should also be drawn. The rider(s) should be notified immediately as well as the regional organizer.

• Chapter Chairs / Treasurer should send a check for $150 to the Central Office made out to CDS. The selected rider is responsible for confirming that a check has been sent.

• The present clinic format starts with a required introductory lecture session the evening prior to the first day of the clinic and two days of riding sessions.

Junior / Young Rider Dressage Clinics

Sponsored by CDS Club 100

CDS prides itself on offering top quality educational events for the members.

Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to learn from top instructor Stephanie Schauer in a friendly group event.

Stephanie Schauer is an accomplished dressage rider and trainer. She has trained several horses to FEI levels and loves working with young horses to give them a good foundation. She works with horses and riders of all levels to help them reach their goals. Stephanie grew up riding under the watchful eyes of Willy Arts at DG Bar Ranch. She has made her way up through the levels on numerous horses, winning several year end awards and championships both as a Junior and in the open classes. With JW she competed twice at the Cosequin Junior Young Rider Championships, earning a team silver medal in both 2001 and 2002. In 2004, with Jasper, she earned a spot on the Region 7 YR team and they won a team gold medal. In 2012, Stephanie and Bonameer DG competed in Chicago at the USDF Young Horse Championships.

The JR/YR clinic format is one evening lecture and two riding days. Each Chapter will pay $150 and select one Junior or Young Rider by draw to represent the Chapter. The Rider will pay no clinic fees, but is responsible for travel, hotel and stabling expenses. Riders can apply to Club 100 for help with travel and stabling.

Region 7 Director:

A Message from the Regional Director

Hi all ~

Region 7 is very fortunate to have Cassidy Gallman as our newly appointed Jr/Yr Coordinator. Cassidy brings her enthusiasm and numerous wonderful ideas to this appointment. Her time spent involved with NAJYRC will be put to good use! We are looking forward to great things for our Junior/Young Riders.

How do you stop a drought? You schedule a great Symposium! CDS held their 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting and Symposium on January 21-22 in Del Mar, CA. The presenters included Charlotte Bredahl, Christine Taurig, Steffan Peters and founding member Hilda Gurney. On Friday warm-up day, the rain and wind caused vendors, coaches and riders to wear rain gear and hold umbrellas inside the covered arena at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in a futile attempt to stay dry. Fortunately Saturday was sunny with no wind and the information was wonderful. Sunday the rain held off until time to tear down and allowed the attendees to watch the presenters again create magic with the demo riders. CDS rolled out their 50th Anniversary Year Book with pages and pages of articles, information and pictures from their "birth" to present day. Well worth the read!

Take care and good riding ~Carol

Show Your Pony!

The CDS Pony Award is a ribbon that goes to the high scoring pony at EACH CDS recognized show. The shows identify the high scoring pony in their results and the CDS Central Office sends out the award to the pony and pony rider. All pony riders should inform show management that they would like to be eligible for the pony award and to be designated on the results cover sheet if they are the high score pony. To be eligible, all ponies must have a current USEF Pony Measurement Card. CDS will also offer a Year End Award for the overall highest scoring pony Training and above in three divisions: Open, Amateur and Junior. For more info please go to California Dressage Society.

Special Meeting

Aloha State Dressage Society new and current members are invited to a Special ASDS meeting on Saturday, February 25 for members to meet the current Board of Directors. Information about the upcoming shows and events the GMO will be hosting will be presented, with the first show scheduled for April 8 & 9. For more information and details please go to Aloha State Dressage Society.

Annual Awards celebration

Hawaii State Dressage Society is gearing up to celebrate and honor their members' accomplishments in 2016 at their Annual Awards banquet to be held March 4, 2017. And HSDS will not slow down during the month of March as they will be supporting their first sanctioned show, held at the Haku Baldwin Center on March 18 with Thomas Poulin as judge.

2017 Linda O'Carroll Memorial Adult Amateur Clinics

The CDS Adult Amateur Clinics are named the Linda O'Carroll Memorial Adult Amateur Clinics in honor of Linda O'Carroll who donated an endowment fund to CDS to help fund Amateur riders' dressage education. As has often been pointed out, the base of the pyramid that represents the discipline of dressage is filled with the Adult Amateurs who juggle work, home, finances, health and any number of other impediments to participation. Linda was such an individual; her choices were always for the good of the horse, for the benefit of the sport. The 2017 Linda O'Carroll Memorial Adult Amateur Clinic clinician will be Hilda Gurney. Regional organizers: Central - April 28-30 at Golden Hills, Paso Robles please contact Ellen Corob 805-544-7151. South - May 5-7 at W Farms, Chino Hills please contact Nicole Bhathal 805-750-0065. North - June 9-11 at Pacific Equestrian Center please contact Mari Naten 916-687-8035 or for more info go to California Dressage Society.

DASC

The Dressage Association of Southern California held their Year End Awards Presentation at a dinner held on January 15, 2017. Barbara Filkins continues as the President of DASC. For more information on their awards and events, please go to Dressage Association of Southern California.